CIA Museum Research & Development Gadgets & Devices
Insectothopter
Developed during the 1970s, this may look like something out of a science fiction movie, but as a micro unmanned aerial vehicle, this insect sized device was used to gather intelligence.
Insectothopter had a tiny engine incorporated that enabled the vehicle to move the wings up and down and a small amount of petrol was used to drive the engine. Tests were impressive but crosswinds proved an insurmountable problem.
Robot Fish 'Charlie'
This Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) was nicknamed Charlie. It was not sued to gather intelligence directly, it was used to study "aquatic robot technology", whatever that means. The propulsion system was inside the tail and the control was operated by remote - using a wireless line of sight radio.
